Bulinews Player of the Season Awards: 1. FC Heidenheim's Player of the Season
| Photo: Adam Pretty/Getty Images. |
After producing the mother of all great escapes in the previous season's relegation play-off, the recently concluded 2025-26 campaign wouldn't yield the same happy ending for 1.FC Heidenheim. Despite their heroic efforts in the final canter towards the finish line, a final day 2-0 defeat to Mainz would bring their three-year spell in the Bundesliga to an end.
One such name that delivered all he could to keep the Baden-Württemberg club in the topflight was Budu Zivzivadze. The Georgian – similar to a lot of his teammates – endured difficult patches of form throughout the season. However, he eventually found his stride netting five of his six Bundesliga goals in Heidenheim's final six fixtures of the campaign.
Although the 32-year-old will find himself back in the German second division once again, his profile fits the mould of what's needed to be successful there. At 6' 2" in stature, Zivzivadze's ability to hold up the ball, aerial presence and commitment to defending will no doubt aid Heidenheim greatly next season. Should he hit the ground running, a fast return to the Bundesliga could be achieved.
STANDOUT PERFORMANCE:
The Heidenheim marksman's highlight of the season came in a 3-3 stalemate with Bayern Munich on Matchday 32. With every point proving crucial in the relegation battle, Zivzivadze stretched out a hopeful boot to divert Marnon Busch's header past Jonas Urbig at the near post. Eren Dinkçi would double their lead before a Leon Goretzka brace restored parity thereafter.
With the clock ticking into the final quarter in Munich and the hosts piling on more pressure, Heidenheim stunned the Allianz Arena with Zivzivadze's second. The 32-year-old showed the awareness to cut inside Olise and bend a delightful shot over the sprawling gloves of Urbig into the far corner. Heidenheim seemed to be on the brink of an historic victory, only for an injury time shot from Olise to deflect in off Ramaj for a draw.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS:
Club captain Patrick Mainka received three votes from our team of writers, crediting him for his strong defensive numbers. The 31-year-old was the league's sixth-best duel winner (345), had 88.65% pass accuracy, played every single minute and only picked up a solitary yellow card alongside two goals. Bayern loanee Arijon Ibrahimović also claimed three nominations for his share of 2 goals and 4 assists.
